Cherry blossoms herald spring warmth

Cherry blossom trees bloom every year around the Tidal Basin in Washington.

AP

Betty MontgomeryGarden Cameos

Published: Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 1:17 p.m.

When the cherry trees bloom, you know spring is here. Ornamental cherry trees are breathtaking with beautiful white or pink flowers. Their iridescent glow lights up the landscape like no other ornamental tree. This lets you know that warm weather is coming soon to stay.

There are a number of varieties planted around in the area. They are readily available at garden centers, and if they have only small size trees, do not worry because they grow quickly.

The first to bloom is Okame with its bell-shaped flowers that are rosy red. This trees can flower as early as late February and is a good tree for the South since it tolerates the heat.

In the autumn months, the leaves of the Okame cherry have magnificent fall colors, ranging from pink to orange and crimson. A mature tree is about 20 to 30 feet tall with a spread of 12 to 20 feet.

Prunus subhirtella cherry has a weeping form and blooms in March to April. One magnificent show of a grafted form this tree can be seen near the flagpole at Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, S.C. It has the most graceful branching and beautiful white flowers that reflect in the pond.

The variety pendula Weeping Higan cherry is usually grafted. However seedlings of this tree, referred to as variety pendula in (Michael) Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs, come somewhat true to seed. This cherry does well in the Hendersonville area because it likes a cooler climate.

Seedlings are prevalent in Hendersonville, with most having lovely pink flowers. Some of the many locations can be seen on Upward Road, Highway 176 at East Flat Rock and Hebron Road, just to name a few. I love to drive around Hendersonville when they are blooming.

Snow Fountain is another weeping cherry that is a slower grower and stays small, growing to between 6 to 12 feet tall. It makes a lovely addition to any garden with its white flowers that cascade and reach the ground.

Yoshino cherry is a tree of great beauty with sparkling flowers that bloom on bare branches. These are considered a small tree, growing anywhere from 20 to 40 feet. They bloom best in full sun but will take a little shade. The one in our yard is 30 years old, growing strong, and it blooms beautifully.

There is another cherry similar to Yoshino called Akebono that grows 25 feet in height and is starting to be seen more in garden centers. It, too, is lovely.

The flowers of the prunus serrulata open as the new leaves are coming out.

There are many varieties — Shitotae and Kwanzan fall in this group. They enjoy a lovely double flower and are quite showy. These grow more slowly than the single-flowered forms and make smaller trees that tend to be quite dense.

They have nice fall color that is yellow, orange and copper.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival that takes place in Washington, D.C., celebrates the gift of Japanese cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington.

Mayor Yukio Ozaki donated the trees in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the two countries

Today, the National Park Service says that about 3,750 trees are on the Tidal Basin in Washington. Most are Yoshino followed by Kwanzan, Akebono, Takesimensis, Usuzumi, weeping Japanese cherry, Sargent, autumn-flowering cherry, Fugenzo cherry, Afterglow cherry, Shirofugen and Okame.

<p>When the cherry trees bloom, you know spring is here. Ornamental cherry trees are breathtaking with beautiful white or pink flowers. Their iridescent glow lights up the landscape like no other ornamental tree. This lets you know that warm weather is coming soon to stay. </p><p>There are a number of varieties planted around in the area. They are readily available at garden centers, and if they have only small size trees, do not worry because they grow quickly.</p><p>The first to bloom is Okame with its bell-shaped flowers that are rosy red. This trees can flower as early as late February and is a good tree for the South since it tolerates the heat. </p><p>In the autumn months, the leaves of the Okame cherry have magnificent fall colors, ranging from pink to orange and crimson. A mature tree is about 20 to 30 feet tall with a spread of 12 to 20 feet. </p><p>Prunus subhirtella cherry has a weeping form and blooms in March to April. One magnificent show of a grafted form this tree can be seen near the flagpole at Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, S.C. It has the most graceful branching and beautiful white flowers that reflect in the pond.</p><p>The variety pendula Weeping Higan cherry is usually grafted. However seedlings of this tree, referred to as variety pendula in (Michael) Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs, come somewhat true to seed. This cherry does well in the Hendersonville area because it likes a cooler climate. </p><p>Seedlings are prevalent in Hendersonville, with most having lovely pink flowers. Some of the many locations can be seen on Upward Road, Highway 176 at East Flat Rock and Hebron Road, just to name a few. I love to drive around Hendersonville when they are blooming.</p><p>Snow Fountain is another weeping cherry that is a slower grower and stays small, growing to between 6 to 12 feet tall. It makes a lovely addition to any garden with its white flowers that cascade and reach the ground. </p><p>Yoshino cherry is a tree of great beauty with sparkling flowers that bloom on bare branches. These are considered a small tree, growing anywhere from 20 to 40 feet. They bloom best in full sun but will take a little shade. The one in our yard is 30 years old, growing strong, and it blooms beautifully.</p><p>There is another cherry similar to Yoshino called Akebono that grows 25 feet in height and is starting to be seen more in garden centers. It, too, is lovely.</p><p>The flowers of the prunus serrulata open as the new leaves are coming out. </p><p>There are many varieties — Shitotae and Kwanzan fall in this group. They enjoy a lovely double flower and are quite showy. These grow more slowly than the single-flowered forms and make smaller trees that tend to be quite dense. </p><p>They have nice fall color that is yellow, orange and copper. </p><p>The National Cherry Blossom Festival that takes place in Washington, D.C., celebrates the gift of Japanese cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington.</p><p>Mayor Yukio Ozaki donated the trees in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the two countries </p><p>Today, the National Park Service says that about 3,750 trees are on the Tidal Basin in Washington. Most are Yoshino followed by Kwanzan, Akebono, Takesimensis, Usuzumi, weeping Japanese cherry, Sargent, autumn-flowering cherry, Fugenzo cherry, Afterglow cherry, Shirofugen and Okame.</p>